Secrets of the Manchester Metrolink (Part 2)

Secrets of the Manchester Metrolink (Part 2)
Inspired by the Geoff Marshall/Londonist series "Secrets of the London Underground", David & Duncan share some of the hidden features and oddities of the Manchester Metrolink. Part 2 features the Eccles, East Didsbury, Airport & Altrincham Lines.
Watch Part 1:
• Secrets of the Manches...
The original series:
• Secrets of the Undergr...
Royalty-Free Music:
incompetech.com...

[@joehiggs100]

Nice one, thanks, I'm 71years old so I remember lots of the transformations. Keep up your good work.

[@mpower695jg]

Excellent Doc's lads, from a Met driver u pointed out some stuff I've never noticed while driving the network.. Keep up the good work 👍

[@DavidFrankal]

That's really great to hear! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@MarmiteCrumpets]

Like Part 1, very well researched and informative. I'd quite forgotten about the early tram stops that had subsequently been closed or replaced. p.s. Weaste tram depot came under Salford Corporation Tramways, not Manchester, you don't want to wind up Salfordians!

[@TheDuffaloUK]

On the Fallowfield Loop map you show Fallowfield Station as Fairfield. You guys Manchester's answer to Geoff and Vicky?! Keep up the good work.

[@DavidFrankal]

Good spot! A clumsy error there...

[@NeilLavitt]

Left Manchester in 1991, just as construction for Metrolink began. 30 years has seen much change. Thank you lads!

[@allenwilliams1306]

In Weaste, the old tramways belonged to Salford City, not Manchester Corporation, as did the depot and tracks you pointed out. Greater Manchester contains two cities, and is not a city in itself: it is merely an administrative area. Weaste is in the City of Salford, not the City of Manchester. One thing you have not mentioned (and which is of some importance, though, arguably not a secret) is that Metrolink Trams are built to a passenger loading height which enables them to use National Rail platforms. This was convenient seeing that they could then use the stations on lines taken over from National Rail without replacing the platforms, but highly inconvenient for street running, since mini-railway stations effectively had to be built along roadways but off the road and into and out of which trams had to veer in order to stop and load or unload. To let them do that, complicated traffic control systems had to be installed at each stop, and passengers on these sections are obliged to make a decision to use the tram passing along that roadway prior to setting off. Having made that decision, they then can't catch a bus even though one might turn up before a tram. Weaste is a case in point. The Journey Planner indicates that from there to Manchester by bus is actually two minutes faster than the tram. However, passengers just do not know which is going to turn up first, so can't tell if it's best to go for one or the other modes. The other point about this loading height is that no other system in the world uses it, so there is no market at all for ex-Manchester trams. Metrolink has to run them their full useful lives and then sell them for scrap. They did this for the original fleet, and will have to do the same for the current one, so at some time time in the future, they will all have to be replaced at the same time, requiring another vast investment programme, for which there may not be funds at the time. and this will repeat itself indefinitely. They cannot adopt a system of continuous renewal, which most transport operators opt for. In Altrincham, you failed to mention that the tram terminus at the station is visibly not the original “end of the line”; the track went on to the carriage sheds used by the electric units which formerly operated the line, and before that, in steam days, to Bowdon Station (actually in Altrincham, at Lloyd Street, where Fitness First now is). One could go on, but I don't want to criticize what is a very good video overall. Plenty of maps, too, unlike Geoff Marshall's efforts. Oh, but btw, you discussed the proximity of “Old Trafford” stop to the footy ground of the same name, commenting a little unfavourably on its situation. However, one should point out that there is another sporting ground called “Old Trafford”, namely the HQ of Lancashire County Cricket Club, which literally could not be nearer to the tram stop if it tried. Perhaps those naming the stop were thinking of this, far more important institution, rather than that of the chaps booting about the round ball.

[@ianr]

Just came across this and I'm impressed! Well researched and presented, pleasure to watch! 👍🙂

[@Roblilley999]

Wow, I was last in Manchester in 2002, the metrolink has expanded a lot since then...

[@kamilarmacki3497]

Absolultyyyy love this video. One of my all time favourites. You should do part 3.

[@niallh8129]

well done boys, a very informative and knowledgeable watch, maybe a part 3 to cover a few things you have missed maybe?

[@DavidFrankal]

What did we miss? Do let us know if you've spotted anything!

[@niallh8129]

@@DavidFrankal mainly nitty gritty stuff, Hagside on the Bury line is the only fully automated level crossing controlled by metrolink on the network, the signalling and level crossings between Timperley and Altrincham are controlled by Network rail. There are 3 sections of single track on the Rochdale line. The T68s were initially used for testing as far as Oldham but couldn't be used after initial testing due to interference with Network rail infrastructure. 1007 has been preserved because it was the last tram number to be used on the original Manchester corporation tramways and the first tram in service to be used on Metrolink back in 1992. And 2001 had the least amount of mileage because it developed a series of faults that kept it in- active for many years. Keep up the good work boys!

[@TheMoonchester]

GOOD VIDEO GUYS

[@markstramtrainbuscapades1729]

Weaste Tram Depot was actually part of the Salford City Transport tram network (latter becoming a bus garage) not Manchester City Transport.

[@DavidFrankal]

Thank you for clarifying

[@kimpossibleyescruelladevil4960]

You should make part three of this

[@whitesky38]

Nicely done boys, well done!

[@srfurley]

A couple more secrets. A short section of the Fallowfield Loop was used for a demonstration of light rail technology when Metrolink was being planned. It used the original Docklands Light Railway unit 11 and a a.c. EMU as a substation to supply it. in 1864 the disused Wilbraham Road station was used by Granada Television for a programme titled ‘Blues and Gospel Train’. The audience was taken by steam train from Manchester Central and were set down on one platform, while the performers were on the other. Typically for Manchester, it was raining for part of the show. The performance was recorded on film, the recording still survives and can be found on KZbin.

[@johncallaghan4616]

Great short series ! Well done - will there be a part 3 ?

[@richardfrance16]

Very very good, for someone like me, who's old enough to remember metrolinks inception and first build, this is accurate fun and interesting ,I watched both videos, one after the other. Well done

[@TransportWithDee]

Part 3!

[@JimbobsTransportVideos]

2:40 Another Update Now The Trafford Park Line Terminates Here Temporally

[@tommcglone2867]

I live around Skelton Junction. How i wish it was as large and bussling as it was in its heyday

[@isaac33481]

11:12 its crazy how things have changed

[@fidgetspinner343]

The original link seems broken

[@pgbaines65]

Manchester United has its own mainline station which is no longer used. I asked Tony Burnam about it on radio Manchester and he believes it is safer to have fans making their own way their then to get off a train and straight into the ground with no roads to cross. 😳🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🤠

[@birdyedits4051]

You need to film inbetween failsworth and hollinwood, I have been there and the metrolink gets extremely loud.

[@DavidFrankal]

I have, and I found it quite odd. It's the only part of the Metrolink network where you really have a sort-of "metro"-style electric whining noise. I have absolutely no idea why.

[@Fleetwoodphil1]

These are hardly secrets,

[@TheGuvOfWythenshawe]

10:58 - My neck of the woods! (Hence my username) - remember the Metrolink extension to the Airport causing chaos during the construction days!

[@tl.rogers]

As a resident in Weaste, I am used to that Ice Cream van song. The guy comes round rain or shine, day or night,

[@happydude6713]

I think it's Vincent

[@chloebird860]

Trafford park line is now active as of mid/ end of 2020

[@DavidFrankal]

I know, I made a video all about it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoqkdaKfZrWchqc

[@TransportWithDee]

Should go to Ashton bus station its actually nearly done I'll he working on it soon

[@markfaz8689]

🚋🚋 👍

[@TransportWithDee]

At the bottom of Ashton new road near holt town you can see the old Metrolink logos even before the star logo

[@DavidFrankal]

How come? That bit wasn't added until Phase III

[@rapidpig]

Top work again! And again, a bit of pedantry - the Warwick Road-Old Trafford / Old Trafford-Trafford Bar name changeovers happened a short time after the Metrolink opened. Warwick Rd was my nearest station at the time, and I there was a bit of confusion. I can remember the blue Warwick Road Metrolink sign - I wonder where it ended up...? That'd be an ace relic.

[@DavidFrankal]

Honestly didn't know that happened after the Metrolink had already opened! I know the line was closed for a lengthy period of time during conversion, I assumed the name swap had happened then. Thanks for clearing that up.

[@rapidpig]

@@DavidFrankal - No prob! I suspect that that wouldn't be documented anywhere, being such a short time. I was only 9 when the Metrolink opened so I'm afraid I can't tell you how long, but I'm certain that was the case. I'm sure it was to do with the proximity to the cricket and football grounds. I miss the underpass and the turnstiles at the MCCC exit!

[@NorthernSystems]

8:44 Is there supposed to be two Fairfield's?

[@DavidFrankal]

Nope, the one on the left should read "Fallowfield". Slipped through the proofreading, that!

[@Shamai36]

too loud music

[@albertrijnmond]

🍺

[@albertrijnmond]

👍🏼 i,am hobbyist from Public transport. I have miniature trains , trams and bus. I,am vlogger and i was op a regio TV in Rotterdam . You have buttifeul movie,s Greeting Albert vrolijke vlogger

[@oforid2227]

You spelt beautiful wrong but it's ok everyone is not perfect

[@online_stranger412]

9:12 northern heights

[@dralanblacker8471]

You see you have made a fundamental error in this programme series, you have provided lots of easily verifiable facts, unlike modern broadcasts which are full of wank, bollocks and cocksplatter.

[@oliverr710]

stop recording with a potato

[@DavidFrankal]

Go away

[@borderlands6606]

Who cares what it's filmed on? It's KZbin, watch TV if you want high production values of inane content. Television companies used to make content like this, but gave it up for Jeremy Kyle and Homes Under the Hammer.